HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-22-17 Public Comment - N. Snively - Short Term Rentals1
Clerk Temp
From:Nancy Snively <nanc@windstream.biz>
Sent:Thursday, June 22, 2017 11:32 AM
To:Agenda
Subject:STR's
Categories:Public Comment
Hello,
My husband and I lived in Bozeman, full time, for 7 years in the 1970’s and 80’s. We loved Bozeman but life took us on
other journeys. Over the following span of 30+ years, we continued to vacation in Bozeman as often as possible.
Honestly, staying with friends in Bridger Canyon, we did not really spend much money in Bozeman, during our trips.
When it was no longer possible to stay with them, we tried to get a hotel in town (one August) and was surprised by the
lack of availability and the outrageous prices. We ended up having to do two different STR’s. One was “okay” but not as
nice as I wanted at this stage in my life. We fell in love with the other one and ended up buying a town house in that
neighborhood.
By buying a second home, we needed to completely furnish it ‐ furniture, bedding, kitchen supplies… everything. Of
course, that was money largely spent in Bozeman. It was money that would not have been spent had we moved all our
belongings in from our current home. But by buying in very expensive Bozeman, we need to rent it out to make ends
meet. We felt the best way was to go with an agency and have all the inspections and pay the bed tax, et cetera.
Bozeman, the fine ladies of Mountain Home, including the house cleaners, all benefit from this income. The city of
Bozeman benefits in many ways, in addition to our property taxes.
Last year my husband and I were able to be in our home there in the winter, late spring, fall and for a week at
Thanksgiving. In total, we were there about 3 months. Whenever we are there, we have guests. Many are from
Montana ‐ Helena, Billings, Dillon but we also have them from Colorado and Texas. I’d guess that we eat in area
restaurants about half the time ‐ breakfast, lunch and dinner. We always take our guests for a visit to all the downtown
stores, and go to places like Museum of the Rockies, Bozeman Hot Springs, Bridger Bowl (in winter and for the Raptor
Fest), and we frequent shows at the Ellen Theater. I’m often dashing in to Owenhouse Hardware or Heebs grocery for
items, too. We and our guests spend lots of money in Bozeman. Our daily spending is way more than we’d spend if we
lived in Bozeman full time.
I have spoken with my neighbors about renters in our unit and only one has had any issue with them. He complained
that one group parked in front of his house (though it IS a public street) and that they had a group of people over and
were noisy (I recall that it was around dinner time). One time! It makes me wonder if he complained about the recent
party that his wife attended that homeowners hosted, outdoors, playing loud music until about 11 p.m.
The first page in our book in our unit requests that guests respect the neighbors and the character of the neighborhood,
park in our oversized 2 car garage or only in front of our unit, on our side of the street. We want to be good neighbors.
Clearly I believe that STR’s are very beneficial to Bozeman and the community in numerous ways. But I feel that ALL
STR’s should be paying the bed tax and having the appropriate inspections.
Thank you for your time and consideration on this sensitive matter.
Sincerely,
Nancy Snively
Homeowner